Obituary for Jason Beckman: Beloved Husband, Father and Coach Who Drove Into Upper Rapids at Niagara Falls

Niagara Action
Oct 13
3 min read

Jason M. Beckman, 52, of Pendleton, New York passed unexpectedly on October 6th.

He was born March 14th, 1973 in Gowanda, New York. A proud graduate of Canisius University, he taught Physical Education at Amherst Central Schools for 29 years. Jason was passionate and accomplished in the world of football, both as a player and a coach. He was a standout high school football player at Gowanda and went on to play quarterback as an honors student at Canisius University. Jason began his high school coaching career at Amherst, and spent time coaching at Canisius and Tonawanda before returning to Amherst where he spent the last 14 years as Varsity Head Football Coach.

Jason was also a beloved Varsity Bowling Coach at Amherst High School, having previously bowled a 300, and sent multiple players to the NYS Bowling Championship. He proudly coached his daughters travel softball team for 7 years. Jason was the recipient of the 2019 & 2021 Legacy Builder Coach of the Year award and was honored by the Buffalo Bills in 2020 for high school Coach of the Week for Week 4, adding to a long list of coaching accolades. He also dedicated his time to the Western New York football scene as a volunteer by keeping stats for sectional championship games for over 15 years.

Jason married the love of his life on August 9th, 2002. Together, they raised their three children, and built a life full of love while being present in one another’s lives.

Jason was an avid fisherman, cook, boater, photographer, traveler, painter, hiker, handyman, 4 time neighborhood cornhole champion, coach, friend, and family-man. He loved spending his time outside in nature, capturing its beauty, all while being surrounded by those that he loved. His positive attitude, generous spirit, and calming presence will be deeply missed.

Jason is survived by his wife of 23 years, Lori; their children Justyn, Hannah, and Madison; his stepparents, Cora and Jimmy; his brother and sisters, Aaron, Michelle, JoAnn, Jayme, Rosella, and Lynn; and many beloved family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Larry and Denise Beckman.

Visitation will be held Sunday, October 12th, 2025, at the Dengler, Roberts, Perna Funeral Home, 8630 Transit Road in East Amherst from 1:00-5:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 13th at St. Mary’s Church, 6919 Transit Rd., Swormville at 12:00 pm. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jason’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jason’s memory to the Movember Foundation at https://movember.com (https://movember.com/) , the National Park Foundation at https://www.nationalparks.org (https://www.nationalparks.org/) or the Amherst Varsity Football Program - three causes close to his heart.

THE INCIDENT

Calls to 911 came in around 9:20am about a Jeep-style pickup entering the water near the bird overlook, east of the Old Stone Chimney. Witnesses told police they saw the male driver leave the vehicle after it entered the river and attempt to swim in the turbulent waters. He never made it to shore.

Multiple agencies responded including New York State Park Police, State Police, Niagara Falls Police and Fire, who immediately launched a large-scale search by air, land, and water. Resources included drones, a State Park Police rescue vessel, a State Police aviation unit, and underwater dive teams. Officers were also stationed along the shoreline to assist.

By 10:49am, the Park Police Marine unit located a submerged vehicle about 50 feet from shore in the same area it was last seen. State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation officers, along with the Underwater Recovery Team, assessed how to access and remove the vehicle safely.

Members of the State Park Police Marine Unit, working alongside the State Police Underwater Recovery Team, recovered a body from the water. Authorities confirmed the victim as Beckman. He was pronounced deceased at the scene and transported to Erie County Medical Center where an autopsy is being conducted.